The International Olympic Committee has given a positive evaluation to Pyeongchang's bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

In a news conference after four days of onsite inspections Saturday, IOC inspection team chief Chiharu Igaya cited the close proximity of competition venues and strong government support as strengths of the bid.

He also praised the presentations as being of high quality and the planned construction of arenas as satisfactory, but also said the level of certain winter sports events was a bit weak.

President Roh Moo-hyun also met the 16-member IOC delegation after returning home from his southern European trip.

He pledged the utmost support to make the 2014 Winter Olympiad a festival of inter-Korean unity and Northeast Asian peace and prosperity if Pyeongchang gets the bid.

Igaya also downplayed security worry, citing the country's successful hostings of the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 2002 World Cup soccer finals.